Sinoville couple celebrates diamond jubilee
The couple met each other in their 20s when they were neighbours in Esselen Park.
A Sinoville couple in the north of Pretoria celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on April 11.
Alwyn Petrus (86) and Noreen Francis Müller’s (85) marriage has reached a milestone with the celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.
The Müller couple met in 1963 at the Spoorweg Kollege, Esselen Park, near Kempton Park.
Alwyn was attending a three-and-a-half-month course while Noreen was the secretary for the principal at that time.
Alwyn was born in Prince Albert in the Western Cape and Noreen in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.
The couple reminisced about one of their fondest memories of travelling from Namibia to Pretoria.
They moved from Namibia to Sinoville in 1980, where they reside close to all their children.
According to the couple, it was important to find the path together through life’s thorns.
“Be on good terms always, through good or bad.
“We are happy to be still doing amazingly well after so many years,” said the couple.
They tied the knot on April 11, 1964, in the NG Church in Cape Town.
The two, who were aged 26 and 25 when they met, didn’t attend the same school but met each other as neighbours.
Alwyn spent most of his days as a clerk and did woodwork in his spare time, while Noreen was a typist and baker at Smulhoekie, with crochet, embroidery and sewing being her favourite pastimes.
They have four children (Francois, Ettiene, Andre, and Nicolette Koukeas), eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Their eldest child, Francois, said his parents’ marriage is a remarkable journey of love and commitment.
“Sixty years of marriage is an extraordinary achievement, and it fills my heart with immense joy to witness them reach this milestone.
“Throughout the years, I’ve witnessed the unwavering support of each other and their ability to weather life’s storms hand-in- hand.
“As I reflect on the example they’ve set for me, I’m reminded of the importance of patience, understanding, and above all, love in any relationship,” said Francois.
He said his parents’ marriage has taught him that true love knows no bounds and that with dedication and perseverance, any obstacle can be overcome.
Their granddaughter Yolandi Müller said not every couple can celebrate such a milestone. Hence, it is an honour for the family to witness it.
“As an adult, it shows me to never give up on each other and no matter what problems or curveballs life gives you, always stand together and face it.
“They are definitely my role models. I mean to get this far together and still going strong.
“Their stories, their journey is something I look up to, and I hope I can tell it to my children one day,” she said.
The family have planned a seated garden lunch at Afrifrans in Montana, for friends to celebrate their milestone with them.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
